NBA Finals 2008: Lakers vs Celtics

[Sauru]

pretty obvious first half i think, after the free throw difference in game 2's first half you just knew it was gonna go the other way in game 3. celtics need to get thier shit together, with both pierce and kg off thier game and kobe on his this game may already be over

[Its_asdf]

Kobe's poopin' all over the Celts at halftime right now. Too bad Odom and Gasol are playing just god awful...

I also completely forgot that the Lakers had Bynum. I can't wait to see what they can do with him next season.

[-Young Buck-]

Game 3 just proved that the Lakers cant beat the Celtics unless they get a lot of help from the refs.

[BIG GREEN]

As I predicted...the lakers won. Doc rivers gets too much credit...first he plays kobe with ray allen straight up...then they don't foul the lakers with tons of clock time left...poor coaching. Atleast we don't get a lopsided finals like last year. However, I believe now more than ever that celtics will win the series....4th quarter heroics can only go so far

[Lamrock]

Game 3 just proved that the Lakers cant beat the Celtics unless they get a lot of help from the refs.

[Matthew]

As I predicted...the lakers won. Doc rivers gets too much credit...first he plays kobe with ray allen straight up...then they don't foul the lakers with tons of clock time left...poor coaching. Atleast we don't get a lopsided finals like last year. However, I believe now more than ever that celtics will win the series....4th quarter heroics can only go so far

hmm..

The lakers will most likely blow the celtics out of the fucking gym tonight. They have that passion, fire and momentum from the end of game 2. The celtics better put on their flame thrower suits for the next couple of games.

Yep you were spot on!

[NovU]

it was bit strange to see pierce messing up the game which ray allen single handedly kept close. i guess u can say pierce choked real bad away from home.

[BIG GREEN]

As I predicted...the lakers won. Doc rivers gets too much credit...first he plays kobe with ray allen straight up...then they don't foul the lakers with tons of clock time left...poor coaching. Atleast we don't get a lopsided finals like last year. However, I believe now more than ever that celtics will win the series....4th quarter heroics can only go so far

hmm..

The lakers will most likely blow the celtics out of the fucking gym tonight. They have that passion, fire and momentum from the end of game 2. The celtics better put on their flame thrower suits for the next couple of games.

Yep you were spot on!

Right with "most likely" being an operative there...they weren't blown out. I never claimed to be "spot on" but the main point is the victory. A loss is a loss remember?

[Wacky Bibe]

Game 3 just proved that the Lakers cant beat the Celtics unless they get a lot of help from the refs.

ha? maybe you're talking about game 2 and to a certain Powe.

What I do not like about the game is seeing Paul Pierce's exaggerating reactions every time he drives or at any contact he initiates.

[Matthew]

But Yohance, you didn't predict they would win. You predicted the Lakers would crush the Celtics.

[Lean]

Nice game even if the Lakers won. T'was a highly contested game. Bad to see KG and Pierce forcing their game. Bad night for the two of them.

I'm going to give credit for Kobe and Vujacic's performances. Both hit big shots.

[joejam999]

Game 3 just proved that the Lakers cant beat the Celtics unless they get a lot of help from the refs.

ha? maybe you're talking about game 2 and to a certain Powe.

What I do not like about the game is seeing Paul Pierce's exaggerating reactions every time he drives or at any contact he initiates.

But you like seeing Showbes flailing arms (every time) throwing the ball out of bounds and then going ape shit saying the other team threw it out?

It was good seeing the lakers get hosed in game 2. Paybacks a bitch aint it?

[Carmo]

lol, maybe if you talked about that after game 2 it would've been appropriate.

[kobeMVP]

^ Amen to that.

The 4th quarter was pure Kobe. Go Lakers, take game 4 as well.

[Carmo]

Does anyone else think that there is a 99% possibility that Leon Powe and Jason Richardson are brothers and they just don't know it?

[Martti.]

In game #2 it was Leon Powe, this game it was Sasha. It's been about the X-Factors.. Of course the 4th quarter was about Kobe. Nice the Lakers made this a series again.

Powe only six minutes with no foul trouble. Perhaps he should play more, boosting other players with his energy.

[Sauru]

i gotta admit i am happy with this lose, out 2 best players playing like complete garbage and we almost win? even with kobe on fire? granted i was swearing up and down in the forth, never seen a team run so poorly at the end of games

[Matthew]

Gasol and Odom played pretty bad too and Ray Allen played well so there were some factors into the Celtics being close. This was a wasted opportunity for the celtics though. They need to find a way to execute consistently on the offensive end with Rondo on the floor.

[The X]

Celtics played like garbage....their offence was a pile of horse shit....if it hadn't of been for Ray Allen starting to hit some shots, they would've been blown out of the building....can somebody please tell Garnett to stop shooting jumpshots, he's becoming as soft as Pau Gasol is looking....I'd prefer to see Big Baby Davis & Leon Powe out there....Celts really blew a golden opportunity to go up 3-0....bad coaching by Doc Rivers again....

I'm expecting Lakers to take game 4, then Celtics game 5, with C's heading back to Boston with a 3-2 lead....

i gotta admit i am happy with this lose, out 2 best players playing like complete garbage and we almost win? even with kobe on fire? granted i was swearing up and down in the forth, never seen a team run so poorly at the end of games

they were run poorly the whole game....their defence was solid as usual, but offensively they were atrocious all game long....

[Matthew]

He's shooting jumpers because of the help defense in the lane of Kobe and Odom. And what?! You'd prefer to see Davis and Powe out there ahead of who? Garnett? You're nuts if you think that.

[The X]

Of course I wouldn't want those 2 ahead of him when it comes down to it....I was being sarcastic on that....although given the way the game was panning out, I wouldn't have minded seeing a different look given to hopefully make an impact & provide a spark to the team....whether it's for him or PJ Brown or whatever....

either way, with the Big 3 on their team, they have to find a way to get easier shots closer to the basket....I'm curious to see what adjustments they will make....

[Jing]

Wish could have watched the game, even if the Celtics lost. We lost power due to a damn thunderstorm Series finally getting interesting. I feel like the Lakers definately have the advantage at home, wouldn't be suprised if they take all 3 games at home.

[The X]

Jing, Lakers don't really have the advantage....if you had seen the game, you'd know that....if Lakers come out & play like that again, with Odom & Gasol non-factors, regardless of what Kobe does, Celtics will win....

hopefully for Celtics' sakes, they'll win game 4 & hit Lakers whilst they're still struggling....if Lakers get going, & Gasol & Odom play up to their abilities (KG has helped contain them so far), then C's are in trouble....

[Jing]

Well then... Horray!

[Andrew]

That three by Kobe to make it 69-68 ended up being the turning point. I can't believe no one bothered to even try and rotate back to him, let alone leaving him that open in the first place. The Celtics didn't just relinquish the lead at that point, they seemed to fall apart and followed it with some rather lacklustre possessions while the Lakers put a little bit of distance between them. Even after that it was a winnable game until they blew the chance to tie at 78.

Still, the Celtics shouldn't feel too discouraged since it was a competitive game and they only lost by six, which is one of their less embarrassing road losses in the postseason. I believe they can win Game 4 which would be huge as they shouldn't let it comes down to a pivotal fifth game in Los Angeles, even with Games 6 and 7 in Boston if they need them. So long as they can shake it off as they did their two losses in the Eastern Finals, they should be in good shape.

The Lakers have to be feeling pretty good though since the homecourt streak remains unbroken. If they take Game 4 then I like their momentum heading into Game 5 and if they emerge victorious there then I could see them riding that back to the TD Banknorth Garden. I expect Pierce and Garnett will have better games for the Celtics in Game 4 but if Gasol and Odom can get it going too and Vujacic continues to shoot the lights out then the Celtics are in trouble for the nex two games.

hopefully for Celtics' sakes, they'll win game 4 & hit Lakers whilst they're still struggling....if Lakers get going, & Gasol & Odom play up to their abilities (KG has helped contain them so far), then C's are in trouble....

Agreed, they blew a great opportunity when they came unstuck after Kobe's three gave the Lakers the lead. With two more games in Staples they might not get that opportunity again unless the series heads back to Boston.